Famalam: Christian Parenting Tips from Parents and Kids

What is it really like to grow up as a pastor's kid ? In this honest and heartfelt episode, Gareth and Lizzy are joined by Daisy, Lucy, and Toby to reflect on their experiences of growing up in a ministry family. Together they explore the unique joys, pressures, and privileges of being pastor's kids (PKs) , sharing funny stories, difficult moments, and the lessons they've learned along...

Can a podcast really help transform family life? In this episode, Gareth talks with Adam and Amanda about how their church used the Famalam podcast as the starting point for a parenting movement that has encouraged families to build their lives around Jesus. What began as listening together has grown into Sabbath rhythms, parenting workshops, school events, and intergenerational gatherings that ar...

What’s been happening behind the scenes at Famalam? In this episode, Gareth and Lizzy share a family and podcast update, reflecting on recent life events, lessons from the Spiritual Practices series, and some exciting plans for the months ahead. They discuss how they're trying to put practices like prayer, Sabbath, simplicity, generosity, and community into action in everyday family life, and...

What difference do spiritual practices actually make in everyday family life? In this special episode, Gareth, Lizzy, Daisy, and Toby look back on the last ten episodes exploring spiritual practices and reflect on what they've learned about building a family life centred on Jesus. Together they discuss how simple, intentional habits can shape faith over time and help families grow deeper in th...

What does fasting actually mean — and how can families practice it in healthy, life-giving ways? In this episode, Gareth, Lucy, and Toby explore the spiritual practice of fasting , unpacking its biblical foundations, practical applications, and role in helping Christians grow in self-control, prayer, and spiritual maturity . Together they discuss why fasting has been part of Christian discipleship...

How do we help children and teenagers discover the joy of serving others ? In this episode, the team explores the spiritual practice of service , sharing biblical insights, personal stories, and practical ways families can build a culture of serving at home and in their communities. Together, the conversation unpacks why service is much more than volunteering or church activities — it is a daily w...

Why does community matter so much for family life and spiritual growth? In this episode, Gareth, Lizzy, Daisy and Toby explore the role of community as a spiritual practice , discussing how strong relationships, church involvement, and intentional connection shape faith in both children and adults. Together they unpack why faith was never meant to be lived alone, and how community can support fami...

How do you help children grow into generous, compassionate people in a world that often encourages selfishness and consumption? In this episode, the Famalam team explore the role of generosity in family life , discussing how parents can intentionally nurture kindness, hospitality, and giving from childhood through adolescence. Together they unpack whether generosity is natural or learned, and why...

Why does modern family life feel so busy, noisy, and complicated ? In this episode, Gareth, Daisy, and Lucy explore the practice of simplicity and what it means to live more intentionally in a world shaped by constant pressure, screens, comparison, and overcommitment. Together they reflect on how technology, possessions, social media, and packed schedules can quietly steal peace and connection fro...

Why is it so hard to slow down and rest — especially in busy family life? In this episode, the Famalam team explore the importance of Sabbath and rest as a vital part of spiritual formation and family rhythms . They share honest reflections on burnout, busyness, and the challenge of prioritising rest in a culture that constantly pushes for more. Drawing on personal experiences — including seasons...

How do you find silence and stillness in a world full of noise, distraction, and constant activity? The episode explores the role of silence and stillness in spiritual formation , sharing personal experiences of how difficult — and how transformative — it can be to slow down and create space to be with God. Gareth, Lizzy, Daisy and Toby reflect on why stillness often feels uncomfortable at first,...

How do you help your family read the Bible consistently — and actually enjoy it? In this episode, the Famalam team explore the role of Scripture in family life , sharing honest experiences of what has worked (and what hasn’t) when it comes to building Bible reading habits at home . They unpack why consistency matters more than perfection, and how small, simple rhythms can shape a lasting love for...

Why does prayer feel so hard — especially when trying to help children and teenagers engage with it? In this episode, the Famalam team explore the realities of prayer in family life , sharing honest stories about awkwardness, inconsistency, and the challenge of making prayer feel natural rather than forced. They unpack how parents can model a real, conversational relationship with God , helping ch...

What is shaping your children more right now — faith, family, or the world around them ? In this episode, Gareth, Lizzy, Daisy, Lucy and Toby explore how spiritual formation happens every day , often without us realising it. From social media and algorithms to friendships, school pressures, and family rhythms, they unpack how what we consume — and what we model — is constantly shaping our children...

How do you help children and young people develop a genuine, lasting faith in a world full of distraction? In this episode, Gareth and Lucy are joined by Amanda Neill to explore the importance of spiritual formation in kids and young people . Together, they unpack how everyday habits, digital influences, and intentional rhythms shape a child’s relationship with Jesus over time. Amanda explains the...

What is it like to live with chronic pain — and how does it shape faith, identity, and family life? In this deeply personal episode, the Robinson family open up about Lucy’s journey with chronic pain , sharing the reality of living with ongoing, often undiagnosed pain over several years. Lucy reflects on the physical challenges, the emotional toll, and the frustration of not having clear answers,...

What do you do when family life feels chaotic , overwhelming, and emotionally stretched? In this episode, Gareth and Lizzy share honestly about navigating a season of stress, pressure, and unexpected challenges — from family celebrations and big life moments to health scares, travel mishaps, and relational tension. They reflect on how these intense seasons impact marriage , parenting, and emotiona...

What does it look like to practice intentional fatherhood and guide sons into adulthood with faith, purpose, and confidence? In this episode, Gareth and Toby Robinson are joined by Luke Smith , husband to Hannah and father to two teenage boys, Morgan and Aaron. Luke shares how he has intentionally sought to raise his sons as followers of Jesus , building daily rhythms of affirmation, connection, a...

What happens when a healthy, active family suddenly faces childhood cancer ? In this powerful episode, Liz and Isaac Fell share their journey through childhood leukemia , reflecting on the shock of diagnosis, the long road of treatment, and the sustaining power of faith , prayer, and community support. From the first symptoms to hospital life, side effects, and recovery, they offer an honest accou...

Are family disagreements damaging — or can they actually shape children in healthy ways? In this episode, the Robinson family reflect on the reality of arguments at home , sharing personal stories from camping disasters to awkward public moments, and exploring how disagreements have shaped their family dynamic over the years. They discuss how children experience parental conflict, what they notice...

How do parents  navigate disagreements  without undermining unity or security at home? In this episode, Gareth, Lizzy, and Toby are joined by Dave and Ro Wright for an honest conversation about the realities of  parenting conflict , differing styles, and the tension that can arise when raising children together. They explore how  shared values , faith, and open communication help couples navigate...

How do families navigate crisis in the young adult years — when independence is growing but support is still essential? In this episode, Gareth, Daisy, Lucy, and Toby reflect on the challenges of facing unexpected crises as young adults , exploring how faith , support networks, and honest communication shape resilience during difficult seasons. They share personal experiences of navigating uncerta...

How do families navigate crisis when children become teenagers — and help them process fear, pressure, and uncertainty? In this honest and personal episode, Gareth, Lizzy, and their children reflect on the crises they experienced during the teenage years, including the impact of COVID-19 , parental work stress, spiking, and more. Together they explore how these experiences affected their mental we...

How do families navigate crisis when children are young — and keep faith, hope, and connection alive? In this episode, the Robinsons share personal stories of family crisis , including hospital emergencies, miscarriage, theft, and moving house, and reflect on how faith in Jesus , honest communication, and community helped them navigate these storms together. They explore how to talk with children...

How do fathers intentionally raise adolescent boys in a culture that often leaves them to figure it out alone? In this episode, Gareth and Toby explore their father–son routine known as the Primal Path , a deliberate rhythm created to support the transition from boyhood to manhood through shared time, honest conversation, and faith-shaped parenting . Inspired by Jon Tyson’s book The Intentional Fa...